Just within sight of Mary Geoise, though still a considerable distance away, a modest government vessel approached the Shogun's flagship.
As the flagship slowed to a halt, a bald old man clad in a white dojo robe, clutching a sword nearly as tall as himself, stood at the bow of the World Government ship.
Once the flagship had fully stopped, he leaped across in a single bound, landing squarely on its deck.
Glancing around at the layout, a rare expression of "nostalgia" flickered in the old man's eyes.
"Though this is a new Shogun's flagship, Wano's shipbuilders haven't changed a bit in centuries."
As he spoke, Kozuki Toki and Kozuki Oden emerged, accompanied by the Nine Red Scabbards, Jack, and Yamato.
"So, you two must be Kozuki Oden and Kozuki Toki."
"That's right... May I ask who you are? And why are you blocking our path?"
"I am one of the Five Elders, the Warrior God of Finance—Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro."
Ethanbaron...
Kozuki Toki's expression shifted abruptly.
A flicker of realization crossed her mind.
Eight hundred years ago, in the era she had come from, though she was a citizen of Wano, she had never actually set foot in the country.
Yet even so, she knew the surname of its rulers at that time...
It was Ethanbaron.
"Five Elders? You mean those Celestial Dragons with the highest authority in the World Government?" Kozuki Oden raised an eyebrow. "What brings one of the Five Elders here in person?"
"No, I merely came to welcome you." Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro smiled. "After all, Imu-sama ordered me to personally visit Wano. Though I had no desire to go, I still had to leave Mary Geoise to greet you..."
"Well, that's quite the trouble you've gone through." Kozuki Oden stepped forward, locking eyes with Nusjuro.
"Now that we've met... you can leave."
"Of course, I will leave. But I came to give you a warning..." Nusjuro turned away. "As a member of the Ethanbaron family who once ruled Wano, I offer you this advice... Do not refuse any of Imu-sama's demands. Otherwise... the entire land of Wano may face utter annihilation."
With that, he leaped down and vanished before everyone's eyes.
...
Before long, that modest official vessel slowly made its way toward Mary Geoise.
"Toki, what do you think he meant by that?" Kozuki Oden's previously firm demeanor vanished completely once the outsiders had left, turning to Kozuki Toki with confusion.
"Once ruled Wano? When exactly was that? How come I never knew?"
"I've told you to read more books, good books," Kozuki Toki massaged her temples. "The Ethanbaron family ruled Wano eight hundred years ago, one of the Twenty Kings who overthrew the Great Kingdom... The relationship between the Kozuki and Ethanbaron families is similar to that between the Riku Family and the Donquixote Family in Dressrosa. Understand now?"
"Not really..."
"Which means, had the Ethanbaron not become Celestial Dragons, there would have been no Kozuki family to begin with."
Kozuki Toki sighed.
The meaning behind Nusjuro's visit was crystal clear...
Simply to intimidate them, to remind them of what should and shouldn't be said.
However...
A faint trace of mockery appeared on Kozuki Toki's face.
The inexplicable unease that had plagued her suddenly gave way to perfect calm.
Imu-sama...
She had personally witnessed Imu, one of those Twenty Kings, in the past.
This was merely one of her descendants...
What was there to fear?
"On my command, full speed ahead... We must overtake that official vessel and reach Mary Geoise first," Kozuki Toki turned and ordered the Nine Red Scabbards. "Trying to intimidate me? are they even worthy?"
As she spoke these words, Yamato and Jack both felt momentarily dazed.
The disdain and arrogance on Kozuki Toki's face at that moment was an exact replica of Michael's.
"Yes, Lady Toki!"
The Nine Red Scabbards accepted the order with fervor.
Meanwhile, Yamato and Jack followed closely behind Kozuki Toki, gazing toward Mary Geoise.
This should create quite the commotion, shouldn't it?
Kozuki Toki smiled faintly.
Daring to scrape past and overtake an official vessel of the Five Elders near Mary Geoise... She was likely the first in history to do so!
...
"Report! Jack from the Shogunate has sent word!"
"They intentionally overtook the Five Elders' official vessel and performed a humiliating scrape maneuver."
"They are now approaching Mary Geoise!"
At Baltigo, a member of the intelligence unit rode a Waver straight into the command center, loudly reporting to Monkey D. Dragon.
Monkey D. Dragon nodded, then looked around at all the army commanders and officers present.
"The frontlines have already begun making bigger moves. It's time for us to act too!"
"Everyone, leave behind one-third of our supplies and all immovable facilities. Abandon and evacuate Baltigo!"
"Temporarily relocate to Alabasta and the Germa Kingdom for stationing!"
"As for the army commanders and officers, after arranging your subordinates' stationing locations, accompany me to..."
"Marineford."
All the notable officers of the Revolutionary Army exchanged glances, finding nothing but astonishment reflected in each other's eyes.
They never expected that while Wano Country was making major moves near Mariejois, they would withdraw from Baltigo and then lead all their officers to Marineford...
After all, that was the Marine Headquarters!
Although rumors about merging with the N.E.W Marine were rampant, they hadn't anticipated...
The leader would make the decision so quickly!
"Chief Dragon... did you consult Michael about this?" Ginny frowned. "Heading straight to the Marine Headquarters now... isn't it a bit too rushed?"
"Rushed? No, the timing is perfect." Monkey D. Dragon looked at Ginny solemnly.
"This was something Michael and I carefully considered... After all, something even bigger is about to happen around Mariejois soon—so big that the World Government won't have time to deal with the Revolutionary Army and the N.E.W Marine."
With that, he strode ahead, leaving Baltigo's central command.
"What are you all standing around for? Follow me."
"We're about to make history."
"The merger of the Marine and the Revolutionary Army... truly something to look forward to."
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